The Ford Barn

big31 · 09-01-2017, 12:58 PM

Greetings,

I'm 6'5". I finally have my '31 A truck in a reliable enough state to use it regularly. On long trips the hunched over nature in which I'm driving starts to become uncomfortable and it would appear almost every mirror combination meant for the A, will not work for someone of my altitude.

So my questions:

1. I'm using a '68 mustang rear seat which is 11" from floor board to highest part of the seat. How high are OE seats on a 31?

2. Mirrors, stock mirrors, spare tire mirrors - do not work without becoming a contortionist. What are you using in lieu of stock to see what's behind you?

As always, thank you for any reply.

J Franklin · 09-01-2017, 01:22 PM

Trade that car in on a comfortable roomy Sedan!

RawhideKid · 09-01-2017, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Trade that car in on a comfortable roomy Sedan!

EXACTLY!! Make it a Tudor so you can easily move the seat back.

Kevin in NJ · 09-01-2017, 02:17 PM

Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice.

Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0

Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out.
There is a reason why I chose a slant window cabriolet.

On a serious note. The slant bodies were set up with better positions for taller people. Somewhere there is a line drawing showing the seats in the bodies and you can see they are a bit more room. A late coupe with the ratchet style seat adjuster may be ok too. I can drive my brothers coupe and the 30 fordor I had was fine.

I will end on a final note.
There is an ad for a AA, of course same cab as the pickup, showing 3 burly guys in the front seat.
I can remember as kid riding between adults in my brothers coupe and having to move my legs in a dance with the shifter. I can not imagine how friendly you got with the big guy in the middle!!

CHuDWah · 09-01-2017, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big31

Greetings,

I'm 6'5". I finally have my '31 A truck in a reliable enough state to use it regularly. On long trips the hunched over nature in which I'm driving starts to become uncomfortable and it would appear almost every mirror combination meant for the A, will not work for someone of my altitude.

So my questions:

1. I'm using a '68 mustang rear seat which is 11" from floor board to highest part of the seat. How high are OE seats on a 31?

2. Mirrors, stock mirrors, spare tire mirrors - do not work without becoming a contortionist. What are you using in lieu of stock to see what's behind you?

As always, thank you for any reply.

1. I take it you have a closed cab. If so, here's the schematic:

http://www.motormayhem.net/wp-upload...model-a-pu.jpg

Shows highest point of seat at 11-11/16" (same for open cab)

2. V8 hinge mirrors have a longer arm that angles upward - dunno if they fit A. If so, maybe could mount on top hinge - be kinda funny-looking but might work.

I love trucks but I agree with others that cabs aren't roomy - you may have to put up with it or trade for another body style...or shrink!

taffrail · 09-01-2017, 07:43 PM

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These are from a 37 ford. You must add a spacer at the bottom, I used chrome plumbing tubing.

Bill G · 09-01-2017, 09:52 PM

I am not the tallest person in the world at 5'9", and I have a '29 Tudor with a non-adjustable seat. I have trouble seeing traffic lights when I am right at the stop line. I have to crouch down to see them. I always wondered what someone with a taller torso would go through.

The little dinky driver's side-view mirror is also something that is hard to get used to.

john in illinois · 09-02-2017, 07:22 AM

I have a tall friend with a 29 pickup. He made new foam cushions for the original seat riser.
2" back cushion gives quite a bit of leg room. I am 6'2" and have the same thing in my roadster. Once I fold up and get in it is comfortable.

John

Jeff/Illinois · 09-02-2017, 12:30 PM

[QUOTE=Kevin in NJ;1521375]Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice.

"Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0

Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out."

Same here. 6"6" and a Model A is a tight fit. AND I too drove a '28 Roadster pickup in a friend's funeral procession to the cemetery when he passed away. I got quite a lesson in that Model A, decided I would never have one as a driver

Neat vehicle. I like them but no way to get in and out of the thing and then once you are in there, trying to drive it,,,,,

. It was bad enough in our '28 Roadster but that PU was ten times worse.

A WWII vet that was a friend of the '28 Roadster pickup's owner (who was also a WWII vet) climbed in with me to go to the cemetery. He is short, about 5'5" at the very best, and he hopped in and out of that Roadster Pickup without batting an eye. Like a 16 year old kid.

mike657894 · 09-02-2017, 04:19 PM

I just happened across this truck on CL. the simplicity has some beauty to it. and the smaller you make the back the more you get in leg room. I think this would look good with some dense foam pads in zip up cover with Velcro on the back to keep it in place.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-02-2017, 05:18 PM

Once had a ' 29 Sport Coupe, PLOPPED Tudor seats, flat down in the seat riser, fastened them somehow??? AND it gave MORE headroom.
Bill W.

SSsssteamer · 09-02-2017, 07:18 PM

On my 31 CCPU, my 6'3" height put me high enough that I couldn't see out under the windshield visor to see where I was driving. I had recently installed new LeBarron Bonney seat springs and upholstery. I replace the bench seat coil springs with coils that were 2" shorter. In the back rest, I tied the back rest springs down flat. After putting all of the upholstery back on, I can not only see under the visor now, but I can slip in and out of the cab much easier. The extra room to slid back to the right onto the seat, gives me more room for me to swing my left foot past the door post. As for comfort for driving down the road, it is now comfortable and safe to drive it. If you ever have to order seat upholstery/springs for a 30/31 Ford pick up, make sure to buy the correct seat springs as there a couple of different choices depending on whether it is a pick up cab build by Ford or a pick up cab build by Bud (late 1931, indented firewall). They used different seat risers. Thus different height seat springs.

Curly · 09-03-2017, 12:51 AM

I ordered the seat springs and backrest that's made for tall guys. I'm 6'2 and it worked out well for me. Not as comfortable as the cars but way better than stock springs.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-03-2017, 08:12 AM

Notice how OFTEN '28 & '29 CCPUs are RE-SOLD? They're BUGGERS to squeeze into!
Bill Backache

Clem Clement · 09-03-2017, 12:24 PM

I'm 6:3. I can't see anything behind me, but then again I have right away...

Try a tire mirror on the spare. It is worthless, BUT sticking a small convex mirror on the face of the tire mirror works!! Peep mirrors work if you have a closed cab.

Y-Blockhead · 09-03-2017, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magicbox51

I am not the tallest person in the world at 5'9", and I have a '29 Tudor with a non-adjustable seat. I have trouble seeing traffic lights when I am right at the stop line. I have to crouch down to see them. I always wondered what someone with a taller torso would go through.

Try a Traffic Light Prism... http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/traffic-light-finder

CarlG · 09-03-2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Try a Traffic Light Prism... http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/traffic-light-finder

I have one of those and they really do work.

big31 · 09-05-2017, 09:15 AM

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. My A isn't going anywhere - my Dad's first vehicle and far to much sentimental value. I will have to learn a bit more about how my seat riser has been modified, to see if I can incorporate a couple of these suggestions.

I've been working on the mechanical side of this for long enough, comfort and upholstery never crossed my mind.

Osage Orange · 09-05-2017, 10:20 PM

I'm 6' 2" and my '29AA closed cab is tight, so long trips are never preferred. Best mirror is the stock one attached to the "A" post. You can also use one of those extension mirrors for trying to find the dropped tool, just modified to attach inside the cab.

09-01-2017, 12:58 PM	#1
big31 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 15	To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Greetings, I'm 6'5". I finally have my '31 A truck in a reliable enough state to use it regularly. On long trips the hunched over nature in which I'm driving starts to become uncomfortable and it would appear almost every mirror combination meant for the A, will not work for someone of my altitude. So my questions: 1. I'm using a '68 mustang rear seat which is 11" from floor board to highest part of the seat. How high are OE seats on a 31? 2. Mirrors, stock mirrors, spare tire mirrors - do not work without becoming a contortionist. What are you using in lieu of stock to see what's behind you? As always, thank you for any reply.

09-01-2017, 01:22 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Trade that car in on a comfortable roomy Sedan!

09-01-2017, 02:17 PM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice. Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0 Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out. There is a reason why I chose a slant window cabriolet. On a serious note. The slant bodies were set up with better positions for taller people. Somewhere there is a line drawing showing the seats in the bodies and you can see they are a bit more room. A late coupe with the ratchet style seat adjuster may be ok too. I can drive my brothers coupe and the 30 fordor I had was fine. I will end on a final note. There is an ad for a AA, of course same cab as the pickup, showing 3 burly guys in the front seat. I can remember as kid riding between adults in my brothers coupe and having to move my legs in a dance with the shifter. I can not imagine how friendly you got with the big guy in the middle!!

09-01-2017, 09:52 PM	#7
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I am not the tallest person in the world at 5'9", and I have a '29 Tudor with a non-adjustable seat. I have trouble seeing traffic lights when I am right at the stop line. I have to crouch down to see them. I always wondered what someone with a taller torso would go through. The little dinky driver's side-view mirror is also something that is hard to get used to.

09-02-2017, 07:22 AM	#8
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I have a tall friend with a 29 pickup. He made new foam cushions for the original seat riser. 2" back cushion gives quite a bit of leg room. I am 6'2" and have the same thing in my roadster. Once I fold up and get in it is comfortable. John

09-02-2017, 12:30 PM	#9
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,789	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats [QUOTE=Kevin in NJ;1521375]Ya, a truck, not a tall persons best choice. "Being 6' 6" and thin I can tell you that the pickup is not the best choice. Do you do yoga? :0 Just busting you some as I can feel your pain. Got stuck in a 28 roadster pickup once. My leg got in the wrong position on between the wheel and pedals and it took some work to move the leg out." Same here. 6"6" and a Model A is a tight fit. AND I too drove a '28 Roadster pickup in a friend's funeral procession to the cemetery when he passed away. I got quite a lesson in that Model A, decided I would never have one as a driver Neat vehicle. I like them but no way to get in and out of the thing and then once you are in there, trying to drive it,,,,,. It was bad enough in our '28 Roadster but that PU was ten times worse. A WWII vet that was a friend of the '28 Roadster pickup's owner (who was also a WWII vet) climbed in with me to go to the cemetery. He is short, about 5'5" at the very best, and he hopped in and out of that Roadster Pickup without batting an eye. Like a 16 year old kid.

09-02-2017, 04:19 PM	#10
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I just happened across this truck on CL. the simplicity has some beauty to it. and the smaller you make the back the more you get in leg room. I think this would look good with some dense foam pads in zip up cover with Velcro on the back to keep it in place.

09-02-2017, 05:18 PM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Once had a ' 29 Sport Coupe, PLOPPED Tudor seats, flat down in the seat riser, fastened them somehow??? AND it gave MORE headroom. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-02-2017, 07:18 PM	#12
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats On my 31 CCPU, my 6'3" height put me high enough that I couldn't see out under the windshield visor to see where I was driving. I had recently installed new LeBarron Bonney seat springs and upholstery. I replace the bench seat coil springs with coils that were 2" shorter. In the back rest, I tied the back rest springs down flat. After putting all of the upholstery back on, I can not only see under the visor now, but I can slip in and out of the cab much easier. The extra room to slid back to the right onto the seat, gives me more room for me to swing my left foot past the door post. As for comfort for driving down the road, it is now comfortable and safe to drive it. If you ever have to order seat upholstery/springs for a 30/31 Ford pick up, make sure to buy the correct seat springs as there a couple of different choices depending on whether it is a pick up cab build by Ford or a pick up cab build by Bud (late 1931, indented firewall). They used different seat risers. Thus different height seat springs. Last edited by SSsssteamer; 09-03-2017 at 11:13 AM.

09-03-2017, 12:51 AM	#13
Curly Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Alaska Posts: 94	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I ordered the seat springs and backrest that's made for tall guys. I'm 6'2 and it worked out well for me. Not as comfortable as the cars but way better than stock springs.

09-03-2017, 08:12 AM	#14
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Notice how OFTEN '28 & '29 CCPUs are RE-SOLD? They're BUGGERS to squeeze into! Bill Backache __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-03-2017, 12:24 PM	#15
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,393	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I'm 6:3. I can't see anything behind me, but then again I have right away... Try a tire mirror on the spare. It is worthless, BUT sticking a small convex mirror on the face of the tire mirror works!! Peep mirrors work if you have a closed cab.

09-05-2017, 09:15 AM	#18
big31 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 15	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats Thanks for the replies and suggestions. My A isn't going anywhere - my Dad's first vehicle and far to much sentimental value. I will have to learn a bit more about how my seat riser has been modified, to see if I can incorporate a couple of these suggestions. I've been working on the mechanical side of this for long enough, comfort and upholstery never crossed my mind.

09-05-2017, 10:20 PM	#19
Osage Orange Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Powell Siding (near Cleveland), MO Posts: 82	Re: To the vertically endowed.... question on mirrors and seats I'm 6' 2" and my '29AA closed cab is tight, so long trips are never preferred. Best mirror is the stock one attached to the "A" post. You can also use one of those extension mirrors for trying to find the dropped tool, just modified to attach inside the cab.